The Imo State government has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to incite violence after the conduct of local government elections in the state.
The government of Governor Hope Uzodinma has stressed that violence in the state will not be tolerated.
This warning was made clear by the State Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Declan Emelumba, in a response in Owerri to PDP’s remarks on the recent local government elections in the state.
Mr Emelumba expressed concern that the PDP appeared to be trying to repeat the recent incidents of violence involving newly sworn local government chairmen and members in Rivers State.
“It is so coincidental that barely 24 hours after the violence in Rivers, the PDP in a statement on Tuesday warned elected local government chairmen in Imo State to avoid the 27 local government council secretariats. The Commissioner maintained that such warnings are ominous and portend danger and therefore demand the immediate attention of security agencies,” the Imo State Government warned.
It further added that “While the PDP was free to rant and accuse the state of every unfounded financial crime imaginable, threats of violence were not tolerated. It has been some time since they took the oath, but they were wondering why the PDP threatened them just 24 hours after the outbreak of violence in Rivers State.
“A close reading of their disjointed and contradictory statements on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, gives the impression that they want to do self-help to cope with their huge losses in local government elections. They claimed that their candidate should be declared the winner, while also claiming that there was no election.
The government refuted the PDP’s claim that the elected chairperson was forced to submit his resignation if he did not comply with the governor’s instructions.
The government also criticized the PDP for claiming that Governor Hope Uzodimma allocated 50 per cent of local government funds to support the state power project, stressing that all financial transactions related to the project were done transparently.
Emelumba also said, “PDP was a pathetic loser who was totally unprepared for the election.” Mr Emelumba called on the advice of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approach the courts for any redress. He warned the people against resorting to any violence against democratically elected chairmen and members of their respective local governments. ”
